In response to the president’s initiative to create a learning-centered campus, Academic
Affairs has collaborated with the Physical Plant to renovate a variety of classrooms
around the concept of learner-centered design.

In such a classroom, the faculty aims to create an environment where students are
active participants in learning, develop themselves independently and collaborate
in ways that support the learning efforts of others. There is a body of empirical
research to support both the efficacy of such environments as well as the specific
criteria that foster the creation of such an environment.

In Academic Affairs, we studied the literature on classroom environments. We rely
on that research, as well as extensive surveys of students and faculty, to guide our
renovation decisions. Some of the key elements that we achieve through the renovations
are:

Flexibility: Using furniture that allows for various configurations of the classroom fosters
small group, large group, or seminar capacity in one setting.

Color and Comfort: As the importance of comfort should not be diminished in relation to the creation
of learning-centered spaces, we use carpeting, ergonomically supportive chairs, and
vibrant colors that are well received by the students.

Sound: The addition of carpet and the replacement of some ceiling tiles reduces unnecessary
and distracting sound in the classrooms.